Key
1. When referring to a computer keyboard, a key is a single button on the keyboard. Letters, numbers, functions, and symbols are all represented on keys.
For example, in the picture to the right, is an example of the
Windows key a keyboard key found on most
keyboards today.
- A listing of keyboard keys and their explanations.
- Not all keys on keyboard work.
- Computer keyboard help and support.
2. A key is also a tool used to lock and unlock a computer, computer drive or other computer related device. If you have lost the key to your computer device, Computer Hope cannot assist you with obtaining a new one. Contact the manufacturer of the product that is locked.
3. When referring to the computer Microsoft Windows registry, a registry key, or key for short, is a term used to identify an item in the registry, such as HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
4. The term key or keyed may also be used to describe a cable with physical dimensions that causes a cable such as a ribbon cable to be connected only one direction. In some rare cases this may prevent a cable from being properly connected to a drive. For example, the manufacturer of a floppy disk drive may have keyed their connection differently than the cable manufacturer has. In this situation, the user may either be required to purchase a different brand of cable or floppy drive, or modify the key on the cable.
5. When referring to encryption a key is a set of instructions that is used to encrypt and decrypt data.
6. When referring to a unique number or identification a key is sometimes used to describe a CD-Key or Serial Key.
Also see: Hard drive definitions, Hardware key, Keyboard definitions, Keystroke